Weekender: April 6–8

FRIDAY, APRIL 6

Lady MacBeth: A Kabuki Play at Krannert Center, Fri/Sat at 7:30 p.m., $16 for general public

It’s a Scottish–Japanese dynamo! Last weekend for this show.

The Dirty Feathers, Creepy Band, Sun Stereo
Cowboy Monkey ($5) – 10 p.m

This is a really good weekend for this to be happening. However, Easter weekend might not even help you church-goers out there. Surely this show will wreak havoc and cause you sinners to be fully obligated to be forgiven on Sunday for the filth you have seen. Chicago’s Creepy Band have played with The Dirty Feathers in the past, and their sound fits right in. As always, a pretty haunting playbill for The DFs. (PS)

I can’t begin to express how impressed I was with Sun Stereo the last time I saw them. Kelly McMorris has evolved from a hippie-pot smoking songwriter with basic skills into one of this music scene’s finest and most creative. His band is second to none as well: Josh Houchins on the upright bass, Jesse Greenlee on the kit, and a trio of brass players that are about as tight as tight gets. Yeah, they mix up Dubstep into their songs at times, and I kinda want them to stop it, but ultimately, this is far and away one of my favorites in town now. SO good. (SF)

Documentary Festival at the Art Theater, all weekend

There are still plenty of chances to catch some great documentaries this weekend. We did a little preview of those you can check out. Highlights this weekend include Sigur Ros’ Inni (which we should have a review and contest for soon) and Herzog’s Cave of Forgotten Dreams. (JS)

Smile Politely was contacted by Inni‘s distributor to participate in a give away of a signed poster by Sigur Rós. Just input your email address to enter the drawing. We will announce the winner at Saturday’s 9:30 screening, and the poster will be sent directly to you.

You do not have to be present at the screening, but you must live in Champaign-Urbana to win.

Fire Tacos or Fire Burger at Farren’s, all weekend or anytime

You probably go to Farren’s for the amazing, juicy, cooked-perfect-every-time burgers, maybe for the signature salads or specials, but you likely don’t run to Farren’s when you’re craving beautifully crafted soft tacos. This weekend, do.

The regular tacos taste good enough alone because they’re filled with your choice of ground beef, grilled chicken, or steak, along with lettuce, tomatoes, and cheese. But if you’ve got the nerve, ask for the Fire Tacos. They’re not on the menu (yet), but Farren’s uses the spicy sauce from the new Fire Burger. If a bun’s more your style, give the Fire Burger a shot.

I’m a spicy food loving Texas native, and the sauce lit my mouth on fire, just like I like it. But I won’t give away what’s in the blazing hot recipe. You’ll have to go find out. (SK)

SATURDAY, APRIL 7

The Brothers Size, Friday–Saturday, 7:30 p.m.

The Armory Free Theatre

This play by Tarell Alvin McCraney is the first installment in his trilogy, the Brother/Sister Plays, and is directed by Kathleen F. Conlin.

The Brothers Size tells the story of two brothers (one, an owner of an auto-repair shop and another, just out of prison), and “plants Nigerian myth in the fertile soil of contemporary Louisiana.” There will be a post-show discussion with the director and cast after Friday’s performance.

This play is, of course, free, and contains adult content. Additionally, this play stars one of my favorite local actors, Tyrone Phillips. (TN)

Trailer:

Murder By Death, New Ruins, Grandkids, 7:30 p.m.

 

The Highdive
$12 advance/$14 door

As the second quarter of the year starts, we get one of the better bills to be put together at the Highdive on Saturday. It’s been a few years since Murder By Death has stopped through C-U, but they are no stranger to the area (one of their first shows was played at Channing-Murray back in 2000). Feel free to use that as trivia. (PS)

I saw Murder By Death last time they were around, in September 2010, at Canopy Club. I don’t think I have ever been drunker at a concert, nor have I ever had so much beer spilled on me (not a drop of my own, mind you). It seemed like one of the best shows of the year, from what I recall. Then again, I did have to lie down in the grass to rest for a bit on the walk home, and I didn’t remember buying the beer that appeared in my fridge the next morning. Okay, yeah, it was a good time. (JS)